Baxter H. Wood moved to Richfield in 1838 and opened a hotel called the
Center Tavern in town which he ran for six years before going into the
mercantile business (B. Wood & Son). After 25 years, he retired and turned
the business over to former clerk Henry C. Searles. A new building, West
Richfield Hotel, was constructed on the site in 1886 by Baxter Wood, Junior.
It was a glamorous place, featuring a large ballroom on the second floor. In
the times following its golden years, the hotel served as a notorious
brothel and declined greatly to the point of being condemned before it was
turned into an upscale restaurant called the Taverne of Richfield by Melvin
Rose. The restaurant was purchased by the famed Stancato restaurant family
in the late 90s and turned into the Stancato Cafe. It underwent extensive
renovations in 2007, reopening once more as The Taverne of Richfield.

Hauntings

Customers regularly report ghostly experiences. Restroom and basement
doors have slammed for no reason, and glasses at the bar have occasionally
flow off shelves. A young boy has been seen on the staircase leading to the
second floor where other have reported seeing a man wearing a hat and black
suit.